Storm will hinder drivers in higher elevations

Drivers traveling over the Siskiyou Pass or to Crater Lake this weekend will likely encounter snow and windy weather, according to the National Weather Service.

Staff and wire reports

Drivers traveling over the Siskiyou Pass or to Crater Lake this weekend will likely encounter snow and windy weather, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service issued a winter storm warning until 10 a.m. today. Up to a foot of snow is expected in the Siskiyou Mountains and Cascades south of Highway 140, with up to 18 inches north of Highway 140, including Crater Lake National Park. The Siskiyou summit is expected to see continued light to moderate snowfall during the day. Weather officials say the snow will taper off in the afternoon.

Wind gusts of up to 50 mph were expected across exposed higher terrain east of the Cascades and in the Shasta Valley. Highways 138, 230, 62, 140 and 89 across the Cascades, Highway 97 north of Klamath Falls, and areas above 5,000 feet east of the Cascades were expected to receive heavy, blowing snow with reduced visibility and icy roads.

This is the second of two storms that have walloped Oregon this week. Many Northwest residents stayed home Friday as many schools and government offices closed.

The first storm dropped more than a foot of snow on parts of the Pacific Northwest.

One person died in an Interstate 5 pileup in southwest Washington. It also closed schools and offices.

The new storm did not lead to any immediate reports of fatal crashes or massive traffic jams.

Don Hamilton, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said Friday's greatly reduced traffic helped crews keep highways relatively clear. He urged continued patience and for people to drive only when absolutely necessary.

"This storm will end, and we'll get to the other side of this," Hamilton said. "So far, with the roads nice and empty today, we've been able to get some serious maintenance work done."

Portland International Airport reported 19 flights cancelled by Friday afternoon — a mixture of arrivals and departures — but said most flights were expected to continue. The airport averages about 500 flights daily.